Chapter 47.2

Chapter 47 – Part 2

Charlotte was afraid of Seraphim. No, actually, not just Charlotte. Everyone else in the Valentino residence was afraid of the elemental.

And this was because Seraphim was constantly pointing a blade in front of everyone except Theodore and myself.

“Really… Because of the elemental, I can’t even come to your side, Madam. It’s so distressing. I know that it’s Milord’s elemental spirit, but…”

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at what Charlotte said.

Evidently enough, Seraphim was being overprotective of me. I heard that elementals were greatly influenced by the emotions of its contractor.

…So with that in mind, it could be said that Seraphim was only doing this because Theodore was being overprotective of me.

Besides that, this situation came about partly also because of my affinity for elementals.

Ah, right. I do have such affinity for elementals.

If going by the premise that this was wholly through Theodore’s influence, it’s not clear whether it’s been like this for a long time, or whether it’s just something that was developed late.

But what’s clear was this: an elemental typically finds a human favorable if that human already had an affinity for elementals in the first place.

So, thanks to that… I’m being subjected to such excessive protection from Seraphim.

“Madam, what if you try to enter a contract with an elemental, too? I heard that having an elemental could make this guy stay away from you.”

“I’m not sure… Well, there needs to be an elemental around me to sign a contract with first.”

If a person with high affinity were to enter a contract with another elemental, the elemental that’s clinging onto the person would go away on its own.

However, entering a contract with an elemental was no easy task. I would have to find an elemental that would suit me first, and it would take a long time to persuade that elemental after that.

I heard some stories about how someone who wants to be a contractor would be put to the test by the elemental, and it’s only if the potential contractor would pass that test would the elemental allow a contract.

If the person were to fail, however… There’s going to be a huge amount of damage. Either mentally or physically.

Therefore, entering a contract with an elemental was never going to be simple.

Didn’t Theodore also take a long time to win over and tame Seraphim, who was originally his older brother’s elemental?

Theodore had become connected enough with Seraphim that he could use the elemental as practically his hands and feet. However, there was no one at all who didn’t know just how much grief Seraphim had given him before.

Seraphim wouldn’t listen to Theodore back then, and that’s why he couldn’t control the rifts that appeared all over his territory.

‘And rifts can only be closed with the power of elementals…’

The power of the elementals was part of the world’s fabric of reality. Along with mana, these two forces balanced each other out while flowing freely in the world.

However, when the balance is broken, that’s when rifts appear.

…This was one of the many hypotheses trying to explain the origin of the rifts, but so far, this was said to be the most likely.

‘But if Owen’s magical power can artificially create rifts…’

…Between magical power and elemental power, he must have found a way to break the normal balance of the two forces.

Was that really possible though? If so, how do I get to the bottom of this? Once it’s confirmed… Would I also be able to find concrete evidence of the other crimes that House Everett had committed until now?

I felt a dark feeling simmering inside me. Perhaps vengeance, perhaps animosity.

Certainly enough, it’s a fact that I want to destroy the Everett household.

If I could just do the same thing to the demons of Everett, just as Lennon Chester had been trampled…

‘…Then, I would have no more regrets in this life.’

The elemental spirit, which took on the form of a blue bird, perched on my shoulder and nuzzled its cheeks against mine.

It had the essence of fire, however it didn’t feel hot to me at all.

I smiled faintly, stroking the wind-like elemental with the tips of my fingers.

In any case, one of the nightmares that had been plaguing Lily Everett thus far had been most definitely destroyed.

Three hours later, news of the trial reached the Valentino residence.

And the verdict…

Lennon Chester and Florentine Esner.

Both guilty of all charges.

Lennon was convicted for the crime of sexual harassment, attempted rape and illegal confinement. On the other hand, Florentine was convicted for conspiring with him and being his accomplice.

During the trial, Lennon defended himself by saying that he lost his temper because I had insulted him, but his defense was overruled.

Since his behavior had consistently been foul all these years, people could only say, ‘His time has come.’

In Florentine’s case, she kept insisting that she only did it because she was being threatened by Lennon and she had no choice, but…

Her claims were refuted due to the testimony that was provided by Zen Delacroix, who was present in the trial as a witness.

As he realized his situation was becoming more and more unfavorable, Lennon tried to accuse Zen of physical assault against him, and he also accused Theodore for burning half his face.

However, again, he was disproved because both men acted in retaliation to his own actions. Though, the fact that burning half of his face was perhaps too excessive was not disputed.

Besides that, Theodore had burned Lennon’s face after Zen had already overpowered Lennon.

This could have hurt Theodore’s defense against Lennon’s accusations of assault, especially because Lennon had no chance of resisting Theodore’s elemental power while he was in that condition.

Unexpectedly, however, Marquis Chester—Lennon’s legal guardian—raised the white flag and dropped all those charges.

——